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Hurricane Melissa

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Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, addresses a meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre at the St. James Municipal Corporation in Montego Bay on Thursday (October 30).
Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, addresses a meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre at the St. James Municipal Corporation in Montego Bay on Thursday (October 30).

St. James Receiving Assistance From International Partners

International partners have begun offering support to St. James as the parish moves into the recovery phase following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, told JIS News that the municipality has already received...
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, provides an update on post-Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts during a special media briefing at Jamaica House on Friday (October 31).
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, provides an update on post-Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts during a special media briefing at Jamaica House on Friday (October 31).

Over 500 Community Roads Cleared, Reconnecting Hurricane-affected Areas
Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon (left), greets Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency José María Fernández López de Turiso, during an Emergency Operations Centre meeting held at the St. James Municipal Corporation in Montego Bay on Thursday (October 30).
Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon (left), greets Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency José María Fernández López de Turiso, during an Emergency Operations Centre meeting held at the St. James Municipal Corporation in Montego Bay on Thursday (October 30).

Spanish Ambassador Pledges Support to St. James
Government Senator, Keith Duncan, addresses a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa Recovery, held at Jamaica House on Friday (October 31).
Government Senator, Keith Duncan, addresses a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa Recovery, held at Jamaica House on Friday (October 31).

Gov’t Establishes Private Sector Coordination Committee to Bolster Hurricane Melissa Recovery
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Dionne Jennings (right); and Caribbean Country Director, World Food Programme (WFP), Brian Bogart (second right), listen to a comment from Food For the Poor Director in charge of operations and implementation, Nakhle Hado, during a tour of St. Elizabeth on Thursday (October 30). Sharing in the conversation (from second left) are Acting Director for Disaster, Rehabilitation and Welfare Management in the Ministry, Jacqueline Shepherd; Director of Social Security in the Ministry, Suzette Morris; and the Ministry
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Dionne Jennings (right); and Caribbean Country Director, World Food Programme (WFP), Brian Bogart (second right), listen to a comment from Food For the Poor Director in charge of operations and implementation, Nakhle Hado, during a tour of St. Elizabeth on Thursday (October 30). Sharing in the conversation (from second left) are Acting Director for Disaster, Rehabilitation and Welfare Management in the Ministry, Jacqueline Shepherd; Director of Social Security in the Ministry, Suzette Morris; and the Ministry's St. Elizabeth Parish Manager, Michelle Senior.

WFP Focused on Getting Food to Hardest Hit Communities

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Hurricane MelissaHurricane Relief & RecoveryLocal GovernmentPress Release

Min. Mckenzie and Team to Tour and Distribute Supplies in St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland

News Editors/Reporters, Please note the following for coverage: WHO:                    Honourable Desmond McKenzie OJ, CD, MP JP Minister of Local Government and Community Development   WHAT:     Tour and Distribution of Relief Supplies in western Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa WHERE:           Black River, St Elizabeth and Westmoreland   WHEN:     Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 10:00AM...
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Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, addresses Friday’s (October 31) Special Post-Hurricane Melissa Press Briefing at Jamaica House.
Hurricane Relief & RecoveryLocal Government

Death Toll from Hurricane Melissa Rises to 19

The Government has confirmed that the death toll from Category Five Hurricane Melissa has risen to 19. Addressing Friday’s (October 31) Special Press Briefing at Jamaica House, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, said she has received credible reports indicating that four additional bodies may need to be retrieved in Westmoreland and...
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Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, addresses a meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre at the St. James Municipal Corporation in Montego Bay on Thursday (October 30).
Hurricane Relief & RecoveryLocal Government

Relief And Response Efforts Under Way in Montego Bay

The St. James Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with key agencies, has intensified relief and response efforts across the parish following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which left widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses. Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, told JIS News that the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has entered the execution phase of its response plan, focusing...
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Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, addresses Friday’s (October .31) press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston.
CabinetHurricane Relief & Recovery

Cabinet Committees to Coordinate Recovery Activities

Two committees of Cabinet have been established to coordinate recovery activities in the aftermath of category five Hurricane Melissa. The Relief and Recovery Oversight Committee will be co-chaired by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, and Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz. Other members are Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel...
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Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, addresses a meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre at the St. James Municipal Corporation in Montego Bay on Thursday (October 30).
Hurricane Relief & RecoveryLocal Government

Mayor Vernon Calls for State of Emergency in St. James to Support Hurricane Recovery

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, has called for a State of Public Emergency (SOE) to be declared in St. James to support post-Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts, citing the need for improved order, security, and control. Speaking with JIS News following an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) meeting at the St. James Municipal Corporation on Thursday (October 30), Mayor Vernon...
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